Latest news with #DMW
Arab Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
OFW Safety First: Philippines Suspends Deployments To Mideast Hotspots
KUWAIT CITY, June 20: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has encouraged private recruitment agencies (PRAs) to delay the deployment of their processed Filipino workers to conflict-affected countries in the Middle East, ensuring their safety and well-being. The DMW issued Advisory No. 19 s. 2025 reiterating restrictions in the deployment of OFWs to Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. Lebanon remains under Alert Level 3, which prohibits deployment of both new hires and returning workers. Israel, meanwhile, is under Alert Level 2, which means that only returning workers with valid contracts are allowed, but currently cannot proceed due to airspace closures amid the ongoing tensions in the region. 'Right now, we're on Alert Level 2 in Israel, which means new hires are prohibited, but pwede ang returning. However, due to the airspace restrictions, it is impossible for them to go, including to those bound for Jordan, because they will just be turned back in case of the closure of the airspace,' said Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac during a press briefing on Thursday. As of June 19, a total of 58 stranded OFWs — including 43 bound for Israel and 15 for Jordan — have been assisted by DMW's Migrant Workers Offices (MWOs) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for repatriation. The DMW is closely coordinating with the MWOs and the Philippine Embassies to ensure the welfare of workers caught in transit. 'When we speak in a regulatory sense, then they have to comply. Any agency that continues deployment despite the directive will face penalties,' Secretary Cacdac warned. 'And yes, 'yong cost of travel hahabulin namin sila doon kung kami ang gumastos sa pagpapauwi.' The advisory mandates PRAs to: Maintain active communication with employers and foreign partners to verify the location and safety of deployed workers; Conduct regular welfare checks and submit updated reports through the OFW Welfare Monitoring System; Develop contingency plans covering evacuation and emergency repatriation; Shoulder costs of rerouting or rebooking flights for OFWs affected by airspace closures; and Refrain from processing deployments to Jordan and Israel until clearance is issued. DMW also met with PRAs, including the Philippine Association of Manpower Agencies for Jordan (PAMAJOR) and the Foreign Recruitment Agency in Jordan, to explain the current situation and ensure compliance. 'Naipaliwanag natin sa Jordanian employers ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon at limitasyon sa pagpapapunta ng ating mga OFWs at handa silang mag-aantay at tumulong sa lahat nang na-stranded nating mga OFWs,' said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia. The DMW emphasized its commitment to ensuring the protection and security of OFWs, especially in times of crisis, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other agencies.
UAE Moments
13 hours ago
- Politics
- UAE Moments
4 Filipinos Hurt in Iran's Missile Strike on Israel,
At least four Filipinos were injured in Rehovot City, Israel, following a missile attack launched by Iran over the weekend, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Sunday, June 15. The explosion struck a public park about 20 kilometers from Tel Aviv, where a group of Filipinos had gathered. It's unclear whether they were outside for leisure or had moved outdoors after hearing warnings of an incoming strike. Twelve other Filipinos were nearby but unharmed. Victims receive urgent help from Philippine Embassy A rapid response team from the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv was deployed immediately. Three victims suffered moderate to critical injuries when a missile struck their residence. One remains in critical condition. 'Our hearts go out to our kababayans affected by this attack,' said Ambassador Aileen Mendiola. 'We are doing everything possible to support them and their families during this time.' The embassy is working closely with Israeli authorities and Filipino community leaders to monitor and assist others possibly affected. Philippine Embassy Extends Assistance to Injured Filipinos Following Missile Strike Tel Aviv, 15 June 2025 — A rapid... Posted by Philippine Embassy in Israel on Sunday, June 15, 2025 Repatriation on standby as Alert Level 3 remains The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said repatriation efforts are ready if needed. While Alert Level 3—voluntary repatriation—is still in place for Israel, any escalation to Alert Level 4, which would require mandatory evacuation, needs DFA approval. Labor attachés and welfare officers are on standby. Filipinos in Israel, especially overseas workers, are advised to stay in touch with the embassy and heed safety advisories. Currently, around 20,000 Filipinos live in Israel, mostly working in caregiving, manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality sectors. Iran contingency plans prepared No Filipinos in Iran have reported injuries or requested aid so far. However, the DFA shared that evacuation plans are already being considered, with Turkmenistan identified as a possible exit route if needed. Emergency hotlines for OFWs Filipinos in conflict zones can contact the following numbers for immediate help: Israel Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv: +972 54 4661188 MWO: +972 50 7622590 OWWA Welfare Officer: +972 50 7156937 Lebanon Philippine Embassy in Beirut: +961 70 858 086 MWO Beirut: +961 79 110 729 Jordan Philippine Embassy: +962 7 7907 7775 / +962 7 7721 9000 Filipinos in the region are urged to stay alert, follow local security instructions, and stay in contact with Philippine officials.
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW issues deployment ban on new hires for Iran, Jordan amid conflict with Israel
The Department of Migrant Workers has implemented a deployment ban on new hires for Iran and Jordan amid ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. 'New hires are prohibited. Returning [Overseas Filipino Workers] are allowed, technically speaking. But they still can't travel because the airspace is closed,' DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said in a press conference on Thursday. The DMW issued Advisory No. 19 s. 2025 reiterating restrictions in the deployment of OFWs to Israel, Iran, Jordan, and Lebanon. Cacdac advised Jordan-bound OFWs to likewise postpone their trips, given the kingdom shares a common border with Israel. 'The same is true with Jordan-bound OFWs, they are turned back. So we issued an advisory, huwag na kayo pumunta muna. We included that in our advisory to recruitment agencies. Don't send new hires to Jordan because they will just be turned back,' Cacdac added. (Don't go there at this time.) There is an existing deployment ban in Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel in 2023. Cacdac warned that non-compliant recruitment agencies will be held liable. 'That's part of our regulatory authority over them. When we speak in a regulatory sense, then they have to comply. And yes, on the cost of travel, we'll have them pay for that,' Cacdac said. As of Thursday, Cacdac said that there are also 58 Filipinos who are either Israel-bound or Jordan-bound but are stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Of the 58, the DMW has been able to arrange a flight for four Israel-bound Filipinos to return to the Philippines via an Etihad flight in Abu Dhabi. 'We have been helping them,' Cacdac said. While it is not within DMW's purview to make recommendations on alert levels that determine whether there should be a mandatory repatriation or a voluntary one, Cacdac said the agency is focused on helping Filipinos in need, regardless of the situation. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials are the political and security experts. We honor their leadership at the one country team level so it is the ambassador's call, it is the Secretary of Foreign Affairs' call , and we will always defer to the DFA's judgment,' Cacdac said. Tensions are high in the Middle East after Israel launched a preemptive attack against Iran six days ago, supposedly to deter Tehran's nuclear program. —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DMW: 150 OFWs in Israel up for repatriation amid Israel-Iran conflict
A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 16, 2025. REUTERS/ Moshe Mizrahi At least 150 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel will be repatriated to the Philippines amid ongoing missile strikes between Israel and Iran, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Thursday. In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, who is leaving the country to go to Jordan, said the 150 OFWs are expected to be back to the country as soon as possible in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s directive. "I will make a first stop to Beirut to assure the Filipino community of assistance there, then I will proceed to Jordan as directed by the President. Mandatory repatriation is not yet appropriate, but we know that there are OFWs who are willing to come home, who want to come home, that is why we are facilitating their repatriation, and indeed, out of Jordan, we will undertake the repatriation efforts," Cacdac said. "So far, 150 OFWs want repatriation. I cannot give further details due to security reasons, but rest assured, we will have our first batch coming home [soon] since the Iran-Israel conflict. The situation is quite fluid, so I won't set a timeline, but rest assured, this is being done as soon as possible," he added. Cacdac said the exchange of airstrikes between Israel and Iran have reached an unusual level, to say the least, but not yet to a point of a need of mandatory repatriation due to the existence of bomb shelters both in private and public properties in Israel. "Sa tingin ko, ito ay kakaiba. Let me just put it that way. We have never seen itong ganitong palitan ng missile attacks between the two nations. Of course, nagkaroon na ng mga conflict in the last year or months mula noong October 7 Hamas attack on Israel but this would be different level, different scale," Cacdac said. (This is kind of unusual. We have never seen this level of exchange of missile attacks between the two nations. Of course, there have been conflicts since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but what is going on now is of a different scale.) "We also have to consider that they have bomb shelters and they have protocols that are widely disseminated. If the residence of the employers of OFWs does not have a bomb shelter, there are municipal bomb shelters," he added. In addition, Cacdac said that of the five Filipinos hurt due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, three have already been discharged from the hospital, one is recovering and one is in critical condition. Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran six days ago, supposedly to deter Iran's nuclear program. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
20 unwed mothers, 23 children arrive in PH from Dubai
20 unwed mothers kasama ang kanilang mga anak, at 10 OFWs galing Dubai, nakauwi na ng Pilipinas. | via @bernadettereyes — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 17, 2025 Twenty unwed Filipino mothers and their 23 children arrived Tuesday in the Philippines from Dubai amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to Bernadette Reyes' report on Super Radyo dzBB. Also with them were 10 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were supposed to go to Jordan to work as domestic workers. They will reportedly be given financial assistance amounting to P50,000 each as well as reintegration and livelihood assistance. Meanwhile, around 150 OFWs must be repatriated from Israel. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration are now Coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs to secure their safe repatriation. The DMW said that OFWs who wish to return to the country may reach out to hotline 1348. — Joahna Lei Casilao/RSJ, GMA Integrated News
